Fabric construction



Dec. 4, 1945. G; w. ROSENBERG FABRIC CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 25, 1942 2SheetsSheet l 4, 1945. s w. ROSENBERG FABRIC CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 25,1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/lll/l/l 7/4 7 7 u i of Fig. 4;

Patented Dec. 4, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,390,462

FABRIC CONSTRUCTION Gordon W. Rosenberg, Elkins Park, Pa. ApplicationFebruary 25, 1942, Serial No. 432,338

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel multi-part fabric construction bymeans of which two fabric'fparts or members may be secured together 3without the aid of auxiliary securing devices.

The invention, while not limited to any specific use, is especiallyapplicable to garment constructions and when so employed is adapted fora wide variety of uses, both military and civilian, as set forthhereinafter.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, isto provide a novelfabric construction of the above-mentioned character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel joint structure ina multi-part fabric construction.

i A further object of the invention is to provide a garment constructioncomprising at least two separable sections and embodying novel means fordetachably securing said sections together.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a garmentconstruction of this character which is extremely simple in design andmay be constructed very economically, and which is also extremely simplefrom the standpoint of use or convenience and is adjustable as to heightof the wearer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a garmentconstruction of this character, which, by virtue of its simplicity andother structural features, is well adapted for specialized militaryuses, such as gas protection.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparenthereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a garment constructed according to the invention, asapplied to the body of a user;

Fig. 2 shows the various separabl sections of the garment in thespecific form illustrated;

. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the main sections just prior to theirbeing secured together by the novel means provided by the invention;Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the sections in associated relation;

Fig. 5 isa sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--G ns applied to sleeveand glove sections of a garment; I

Fig. 10 shows the same sections after they have been secured together;

Fig. 11 isa sectional view taken ll-|I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a along line further formof the invention;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of two garment sectionsconstructed according to a still further form of the invention; and

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the sections secured together.

around such body, and if the circumferential dimension of the band isnot greater than the circumferential dimension of the body by more thantwice the width of the band, then the band cannot be inverted while onthe body except by stretching it (if elastic) or by rolling itover'itself. This can readily be understood by imagining a circular bandof the above-mentioned character placed about a rigid cylinder. Thus theband, by virtue of its semi-rigid nature, will tend to maintain itsoriginal position and will resist turning.

According to the present invention, this principle is utilized to securetwo fabric members together. A semi-rigid band of predeterminedcircumferential dimension is provided at the edge of each member, andthe two bands placed in juxtaposed relation about a body and are rolledor turned simultaneously. If the dimension of each band is related tothe circumference of the body as above-mentionedthe bands becomeinterlocked in a self-sustaining joint which maintains the fabricmembers together until they ar forceably separated. With the foregoingexplanation in view, reference may now be had to the accompanyingdrawings.

Referring first to Figs. land 2, there is illustrated a multi-partgarment constructed according to the invention and comprising at least ablouse section I and a trouser section 2 which are adapted to be securedtogether in the manner above-mentioned. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2these two sections have. detachable gloves or removably attached to theblousejsection inany suitable manner. The helmet is provided with atransparent portion 6 to accommodate the eyes: I

of the wearer. For ordinary usage the portion 6 may be an openingthrough which the wearer may see and breathe. such as gas protection,the hel'me'tma'y be suitably equipped, for example it may comprise agas.

mask. y

The blouse section is adapted to be slipped'over the head and shouldersof the wearer, and it is of sufficfently large circumferential dimensionto permit this. For the same reason the blouse section is substantiallyuniform-in circumferential .dimension from the, shoulder to the waist.

The trouser section 2 is adapted to be slipped onto the lower part ofthe users body with a maximum of ease and, therefore, this section isalso sufficiently large in circumferential dimension for this purpose.

Both sections of the garment may be formed of anysuitable material andthey are of very plain construction with a minimum of seams and areentirely free of pleats, flaps; buttons, etc.

In accordance with thepresent invention, both of the sections 1' and 2,are extended at the Waist portion, and preferably each section isextended at least 6 inches beyond the normal waist line. Each section'isprovided at the edge'of the waist portion with a semi-rigid band 1 and8, and the relative circumferential dimensions of the two sections. aresuch that the edge portion of one may be inserted in the edgeportion ofthe other. Preferably the waist portion of the blouse section isslightly larger in circumferential dimension than the waist portion ofthe trouser section, asillustrated in Fig. 2.

The band of each section may comprise a separate piece attached to thegarment section but itis preferably formed by folding the edge portionof the garment section, as shown in Fig. 5, and by providing rows ofheavy stitching 9 to impart the desired degree of stilfness to the band.Any other means of imparting a semi-rigid stiffness to the band may beused, such as the use of an insert of stiff fabric, hair cloth, whalebone or even wire inserts. Although each band may be continuous, it ispreferred to interrupt the band at one or more places as shown at 10, Hand [2 of Fig. 2 in order that the band may be adjusted in relation tothe size of the wearers waist. In the illustration of Fig.2,'the'-portions 10, II and 1.2 are parts of the garment proper and theband sections 1 and 8 are provided with hook and eye fasteners indicatedgenerally at I3, in order that the band sections may be broughttogether, as shown in Fig. 3. However, any suitable means for adjustingthe size of each band may be employed. For example, portions In, H andI2 may comprise elastic sections adapted to adjust each bandautomatically'to the waist of the wearer. As shown in Fig. 5, the bandl-is preferabl formed "by folding the material inward, while the band 3is formed by folding the material outward. The reason for this willappear shortly;

However, for special purposes Assuming that the two garment sections land 2 have been placed on the wearers body, the

wearer proceeds as follows to adjust and secure the sections together.The band 8 is first reduced in size, assuming that the particularadjusting means employed requires manual manipulation, ,so that the bandis related to the circumferential dimension of the wearers waist asdescribed above. Theband I is then placed over band 8 as shown in Figs.4 and 6, and band I, is likewise adjusted. With one band inserted withinthe other and with the two in juxtaposed relation as in Figs. 4 and 6,the two bands are simultanously turned or inverted as shown in Figs. 7and 8; Fig. 7 shows the bands and adjacent portions of the garmentsections after one inversion has been made, while Fig. 8 shows the partsafter two inver sionshavebeen made. By reason of the semi-rigid natureof the two bands, this folding process may be easily performed. Byproviding two or more folds, the garment sections may be securelyinterlocked and they will remain secured together by virtue of theresistance of the bands to turning as previously described. As showninFigs. 6 to 8,

the edge portions of the, garments containing; the

bands are, preferably rotated or folded in such direction that the foldon the outside of the garment is downward. This enables water to rundown the outside of the garment without lodging in the folded joint.

It is important to note that the folded joint pro.- vided by thisconstruction, as shown in, 8, provides a tight seal and also providessmall spaces I4 within which air is trapped, thus, pro viding a sort ofair seal entirely aroundthe, waist of the wearer. The joint may compriseas'many folds as are necessar to adapt; thegarmentto the height oftheparticular wearer and. ofcourse, the greater the number of folds, thegreater will be the sealing effect. This featureis, important in certainusages of the garment.

boot sections, as shown in Fig. 2, these. sections ma be joined to themain sections in the same manner as-described'above. I

The joint structure is capable of various modifications. For example,only one of the-bands need be semi-rigid, althoughit is preferred tohave them bothof this character :as it gives'a bet.- ter joint. Eitheror both of the bandsrmay-be circumferentially elastic, in whole as Wellasin part, and in such case the tension or stretch of the band on theouter side, against the, inner band, will tend to keep them interlocked;

Where no elastic means of circumferential adjustment is provided, theportions lfi, II and 12 are purposely made flexible so that when thejuxtaposed bands are folded over, the one on the inner side can adjustautomatically to aslightly shorter length than the outer one, andthusavoid binding, each band in turn adjusting itself as they are foldedover.

Portions 10, H and I2 could'beomitte'd'entirely.

. leaving spaces instead, in' one or'both of the bands. One or both ofthe bands wouldthen be fragmentary but none-the-less usable accordin tothe invention.

From the foregoing description, it may be seen that the garmentconstruction providedby' the invention is capable of a wide variety ofuses, but it is particularly adapted for military: uses. From thestandpoint of civilian use, the novel securing means may be employed inany instance where it is desired to secure two sections; of a garmenttogether. However, the garment noonstruction as a whole is particularlyadapted for weather-resistant uses. For example such a garment isadmirably suited for use as a skiing, garment.

In respect to military use, the garment construction is particularlyadapted for use by aviators, ski troops, etc., and it is especially wellsuited for gas decontamination workers. In the latter case the garmentmay be constructed of gas-proof material of any known type. Because ofits simplicity of construction, the garment lends itself very well tothis usage. Moreover, the novel means for securing the garment sectionstogether provides a sealed joint, as pointed out above, which is animportant feature from a standpoint of gas protection, and at the sametime may be readily removed.

Although. the invention is particularly adapted for use in a garment, itis applicable to other uses wherein tubular fabric parts are used. Forexample, it could be applied to tarpaulin covers for cylindrical objectssuch as plane motors, dufiie bag covers, canvas air duct hose, etc.

In Figs. 9 to 11, there is illustrated a further embodiment of theinvention, and although it is illustrated as applied to sleeveand glovesections I and I6 of a garment, it is equally well adapted for securingtogether any such fabric sections.

flap I9 is adapted to retain the folded portions,

thus further assuring that the interlocking relation will be retained aslong as desired. As may be seen from Fig. 11, it is only necessary toinsert the upper part of the fold under the flap I9.

Preferably the band I! is provided on a separate piece 20, and the flapl9is formed by folding a portion of section 15, as shown in Fig. 11. Itis then possible to use an inserted strip 2| within flap l9 to stifienthe same. If desired a similar flap could be used in conjunction withpiece 22, and the two flaps would then hold both of the interfoldedbands in place. By forming at least a portion of sections 20 and 22 ofmaterial which is elastic in width,'and if desired in circumferencealso, the folded joint may be caused to fit even more snugly under flapI9. It is also possible to employ fastening means to secure the edge ofthe flap to the folded joint after the parts have been fully assembled.

In Fig. 12, there is shown a further embodiment of the edge portions oftwo fabric sections 23 and 24, having bands 25 and 26 respectively. Inthis instance a piece of felt 21 or the like is stitched to band 25 andlies along the one side of section 23. When the edge portions are Whenthe edge portions are interfolded as above described to interlock thesec tions together, the soft material 21 fills the spaces or intersticeswithin the joint, making the joint even more secure and providing atighter seal. This feature is particularly desirable where the joinedsections are constructed of fairly stiff material, and the joint wouldnot normally be as tight as is desired.

In Figs. 13 and 14, there is shown a further form of the joint structurein which fabric sections 28 and 29 are provided with complementary bands30 and 3| of equal circumferential length. In this instance, the bandsare disposed in edgeto-edge relation, as shown in Fig. 13, and they arethen folded to obtain the joint of Fig. 14. If desired, a flap 32 may beprovided on one section for the purpose previously described.

Thus, it will be seen that the invention pro- ,vides a constructionwhicn is capable of various modifications and is adapted for a widevariety of uses. It will be understood, therefore, that the invention isnot limited to the specific forms illustrated nor to any particular use.

I claim:

1. A garment construction comprising at least two separable sectionsadapted to envelope adjacent parts of a wearers body, said sectionsnaving complementary edge portions adapted for disposition one withinthe other, a semi-rigid band on each of said edge portions fordetachably securing said sections together by foldably interlocking saidportions, and a flap on at least one of said sections in predeterminedspaced relation to the band thereon and adapted to retain the foldedportions in place, at least a portion of the interlocking edge portionsbeing formed of material which is elastic transversely of thecircumferential joint, whereby a tighter seal is imparted to the joint.

2. A fabric construction adapted to enclose a body and comprisingtubular", flexible, fabric members having their end portionstelescopically interfitted, at least one of said members having a partof its end portion relatively stifier than the flexible fabric of saidmembers and being of such resiliency as to be capable of foldingsimultaneously with and within the fabric of said members, saidinterfitted end portions being jointly folded with and within the fabricof said members whereby to form a separable joint between said members,said relatively stiffer end portion defining a flat core member whichfacilitates folding, and said core member having a circumferentialdimension greater than that of the body enclosed within said members byless than twice the width ofthe core member, whereby the joint issubstantially incapable of unfolding and said core inhibits unfolding ofthe joint under longitudinal stress and independently of the bodyenclosed within said members.

GORDON W. ROSENBERG.

